The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-17
READING FOR THE DAY.
sunday.school Lesson for July "a, ,ss

Sunday School Lesson for July "a, 1887.
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIsT.-Mats iii. 1917.
Golden Text.-This is my beloved Son. in whom
am well pleased.-Matt iii. II.
The fame of Johns preaching spread
over the land, and moved Israel as Israel had
not been moved for centuries. All classes from
all quarters focked to his ministry .'Pharisees
and Sadducees. priests and Levites. scribes and
elders Of the people, publicans and proselytes,
warriors from the Roman and Herodan armies.
comes one who. hiths.to known as Jesus the car
penter, is henceforth to be- known
as Jesus the Messiah. 1t is the
and John has reached what seems have been
the most northern point of his mission journey"
Betnabara 1.-THE house of passage. or of shipping)
or. according 70 the ancient reading. Bethany
1.-THE house of shippingl, was little more than
twenty miles from Nazareth, and one of the best
known fords across the Jordan into Perea. Here
the baptism of Jesus took place. That John and
Jesus were not known to each other is evident
from the twice-repeated declaration he knew
him not" John !. 81. 3d. But. as Dr.. Fairbairn
Gays, ito two such spirits to meet once at such
time and place was enough. Spirit answered
spirit, and in the answer the revelation came"
Johns recognition was instant and overwhelrn-
change places. II have need to be baptized of
thee" But Jesus answers: Suffer it to De SO
now; for thus it Decometh US to fulfill all right
eousness." This. as it seems TO US, should at
determine the and nature of
Christs baptism. 1t was not In his case the
symbol Of contrition, confession and repentance.
the law; for there is evidence that the law en-
joined any such rite. The expression ito full
fill all righteousness" seems rather to mean Ito
do the whole will of God in relation to Christ's
human nature and Office" Says Dean Mansel:
He who sent John to baptize with water, sent
him with the purpose that Christ should par
take of that baptism, and Christ comes to fulfill
that purpose" DR.. Whedou, with his usual in
cisiveness, says: I'm regard to our Saviors
baptism there three difficult questions to be
answered: 1. Being sinless, how could he be
baptized with the baptism of repentance2 2.
Being Johns superior. how could he receive
baptism from him2 B. Being king, Messiah.
how could he be prepared to become a subject of
his own kingdom? i. To the first question i. is
replied that Christs whole life bearing
the sins of others. He assumed humanity that
the penal liabilities of humanity might be i'm
puted to him. 2 To the second question it is
replied. that however superior our Lord was
in nature, John was at that moment his su-
der.or in Office. So the priest who anoints the
kingi or The chancellor. the judge who adj
ministers the oath to the president, is at that
moment his official superior. 8. To the third
question it is replied. that every candidate
baptized for fitness for the coming kingdom. is
baptized for his own place in that kingdom; the
subject for subsection. the king for royalty.
Johns baptism of Jesus. therefore, was, as it
were, an JUNCTION for his kingship or priest
hood"